Michaela and Ryan got engaged and immediately knew they wanted their engagement session at Shepherd’s Run…which also happened to be their wedding venue! Smart move. October in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with fog rolling across the vineyard in the morning and fall color everywhere. It was one of those sessions where the location does half the work for you.

Michaela wore a dramatic red dress that looked incredible against all that muted October atmosphere. We wandered through the trails and grounds at Shepherd’s Run, then made our way over to Burlingame State Park for the lakeside dock shots as the light started to get good. At one point they popped champagne on a rock wall and toasted each other while the fog sat behind them and honestly it was just perfect.

These two are so easy and natural together. Laid back, genuinely happy, zero stiffness. You can feel it in every frame.

And then they got married at Shepherd’s Run the following year! One of my favorite rainy wedding days I’ve ever shot. You can see the full wedding here.

If you’re thinking about doing your engagement session at your wedding venue, this is your sign. Getting comfortable in the space before your wedding day makes everything feel more natural when it actually counts. I’d love to shoot yours.

As a Rhode Island engagement photographer I’m down here all the time and Shepherd’s Run is one of my favorite spots in the state. For more Rhode Island venue inspiration check out my best Rhode Island wedding venues roundup, and for all of New England my complete guide to New England wedding venues is a great place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is Shepherd’s Run located? Shepherd’s Run is in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, about 30 minutes from Providence. It’s a vineyard and estate property with beautiful grounds, winding trails, stone walls, open meadows, and fog that rolls in on October mornings in a way that is genuinely unfair to other venues.

Q: Is Shepherd’s Run good for engagement sessions? Oh yeah. The vineyard rows, wooded trails, stone walls, and open meadows give you a ton of variety in one location. We also added Burlingame State Park nearby for the lakeside dock shots, which paired perfectly with the vineyard atmosphere.

Q: Can you do your engagement session at your wedding venue? Yes! And I’d actually recommend it for a lot of couples. You get comfortable in the space before your wedding day, which makes everything flow more naturally when it counts. Michaela and Ryan did exactly that and it made their wedding day feel effortless.

Q: Do you photograph engagement sessions in Rhode Island? All the time. Rhode Island is one of my most-photographed states and I’m down there regularly. I’m Connecticut-based so it’s a quick drive. Let’s talk about your session.